Lentejas con Plátano y Tocino (Mexican Lentil Soup with Plantain)
A thick, comforting home-style lentil soup with smoky bacon, tomato and sweet fried plantain on top, an old Mexican family favourite.
Made with Mexican chicken stock (caldo de pollo). Make a batch of the base first, then this takes minutes. Skip to the method
- Time1 hr
- LevelEasy
- Costabout £2.77 a head
Cost is worked out from Aldi and Tesco shelf prices in October 2026. Your shop and brands will differ.
Ingredients
Tick what you need to buy. It goes on your shopping list.
Method
- 1
Fry the bacon in a large pot over a medium heat for 6 minutes until crisp and the fat has run.
6 min - 2
Add the onion and carrots and cook for 6 minutes until soft, then the garlic for 1 minute.
7 min - 3
Stir in the tomatoes and cook for 4 minutes. Add the lentils, bay leaves and your ready made caldo de pollo (see the base recipe).
4 min - 4
Bring to the boil, then simmer gently for 35 to 40 minutes, until the lentils are tender and the soup is thick. Add a splash of hot water if it gets too thick. Taste and add salt only if needed, as the bacon is salty.
40 min - 5
Meanwhile, heat the oil in a frying pan and fry the plantain slices for 2 to 3 minutes per side until deeply golden and soft.
6 min - 6
Serve the soup in bowls with the plantain on top and a squeeze of lime.
Tips
- Use a ripe plantain with a mostly black skin. It is sweet and caramelises beautifully, which balances the smoky bacon.
- Do not salt until the lentils are tender, or they can stay firm. Taste at the end.
- Leave out the bacon and add 1 tsp smoked paprika for a lighter, meat-free-style bowl.
Storing and freezing
Keeps in the fridge for up to 3 days. Cool within 1 to 2 hours, freeze for up to 3 months without the plantain, and reheat until steaming hot all the way through.
Questions
What if I cannot find plantain?
Use a firm, ripe banana fried in a little oil for a similar sweet contrast, or leave it out. The soup is good plain with lime and warm tortillas.
Which lentils are best?
Green or brown lentils hold their shape and take 35 to 40 minutes. Red lentils collapse into a purée in 15 minutes and give a different, smoother soup.
Is it gluten free and dairy free?
Yes, as long as the bacon is gluten free and the caldo is homemade or gluten free. There is no dairy, egg or nuts.
More made with mexican chicken stock (caldo de pollo)
Caldo Tlalpeno (Smoky Chicken and Chickpea Soup)
GFDFEFGuajolote en Mole Rojo (Turkey in Red Mole)
DFEFNFPollo en Salsa Verde (Chicken in Green Tomatillo Sauce)
DFEFNFSopa de Lentejas con Chorizo y Plátano Macho (Lentil Soup with Chorizo and Plantain)
GFDFEFSee every dish made with mexican chicken stock (caldo de pollo)
Double check before you cook. Recipes can contain mistakes. Any diet labels come from the ingredients as written in this recipe and are a guide, not a guarantee. Always check every ingredient and the packet label for allergens and cross contamination, and ask your doctor or dietitian what is right for you, especially with coeliac disease, diabetes or a serious allergy. This is not medical advice.